Messi Listed For MLS Newcomer Of The Year Prize

Inter Miami and Argentina Forward Lionel Messi was among three finalists named on Thursday for Major League Soccer’s Newcomer of the Year prize.

Recall that the Former Barcelona Talisman, lead Argentina to World Cup triumph on December 18 in Qatar.

He also lead Miami to the Leagues Cup title in a tournament with MLS and Mexican league sides in August.

Messi only played his first MLS match for Miami on August 26 as a second-half substitute and scored a goal in Inter’s 2-0 win at New York Red Bulls to snap an 11-match winless streak.

Ever since his singning to Inter Miami, Messi has been a moneyspinner for MLS from jersey sales and his role in boosting sales of MLS season pass viewing subscriptions as well as ticket sales wherever Miami played.

Messi’s rivals for the newcomer award, defined as anyone with pro experience who made an MLS debut this year, are Greek forward Giorgos Giakoumakis of Atlanta United and German midfielder Eduard Lowen of St. Louis City.

He had also been among the players shortlisted for the MLS Most Valuable Player award although he failed to be among the three finalists in that category.

That trio included MLS Golden Boot winner Denis Bouanga, a French-born Gabon international for Los Angeles FC, Argentine midfielder Luciano Acosta of regular-season wins leader FC Cincinnati and another Argentine standout, Atlanta’s Thiago Almada.